Goldenson Awardees

Resources & Funding

Cerebral palsy is a devastating disease that makes it very difficult for children to engage in the most essential behaviors such as walking or talking. As parents of a child with cerebral palsy, the Goldensons recognized early on the importance of gaining a fundamental knowledge of how cerebral palsy impacts the function of the brain, and in turn how to use this knowledge to treat these children, and ultimately design a cure. To this end, the Goldenson Fund was established at Harvard Medical School in 1992, with the goal of making progress towards the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the brain, such as cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders. Galvanized by this generous support, researchers at Harvard Medical School have comprehensively studied this disease and other neurological diseases from the perspective of molecules, cells, neural circuits, development, and behavior – all with the goal of learning how to treat the diseased brain and improve the lives of children living with neurological disorders.

A unique aspect of the Goldenson Fund’s success has been its support of researchers at all career stages. From graduate student fellows to post-doctoral researchers and faculty, support from the Goldenson family has catalyzed innovative ideas and progress. Publications and presentations that stem from this support in turn benefit the entire community of researchers, and thus the field at large. Moreover, the funding structure allows the Center to adapt and keep pace with new breakthroughs in the field and fosters the development of new technologies and ideas.